Question:
Can someone tell me the correct vitamins to take?

I would like to know which ones are the correct to take for calcium? iron? etc... And, if anyone knows what to take pre-op to help prevent hair loss post-op please help me? I have a lot of hair (long and curly) and don't want to lose any if I can avoid it. Thanks a bunch!    — chatterbox213704 (posted on October 30, 2002)

October 30, 2002
every doctor seems to be different on what they tell their patient to take as far as vitamins, calcium and iron so I won't touch that one. BUT, I started taking vitamins on my own months before my surgery. I started taking biotin ( to prevent hair loss), B12, vitamin C and 2 multi-vitamins a day months before my surgery. There is a good vitamin you can get at walmart called healthy skin and nails that would be a good one to start taking too since it has the biotin stuff in it. sure can't hurt ;) best of luck!
   — Lisa F.

October 30, 2002
I take two centrum viatmins a day. Plus a Real Meals shake. The shake has your 60 grams of protein (I spit it into two mini shakes because we can only absorb 30 grams at a time) It also has over 40 vitamins and nutrients. Including the calcium, iron, vitamin b12, biotin (to prevent the hair loss, lean muscle stimultors (to prevent sagging skin). It has worked great for me. I am five months post op down 97.5 pounds, I have all of my hair, and no hanging skin. I have gone from a size 24 to an 8. My doctor actually told me last week not to try and loose any more weight. I never thought I would hear those words in my life!!!! There are banners around this website for it for more information or you can go to www.protein-solution.com
   — Linda A.

October 30, 2002
If it will help, mine are listed on my profile. One thing that's not listed on there is liquid calcium citrate. I used to take the capsules (and actually prefer them) but I have to order them online and I can get the liquid from the store.
   — ctyst

October 30, 2002
It looks like you have lots of advice... I take a childrens and a hair, skin, and nails in the morning and evening.. along with calcium... at noon or lunch I take trinsicon.. a prescription iron etc... I am losing my hair a little.. (at least I hope its a little) so the H, S, and N didn't help the hair and I started pre op with it.. but I do have ten gorgeous nails.. like you wouldn't believe! *grin* <br><br>seriously though, shouldn't you talk to your doctor about what he says you should take? And.. I don't think you can avoid hair loss.. maybe you'll be lucky...
   — Lisa C.

October 30, 2002
Depends on how much detail you want, actually. But you asked specifically about iron (NOT ferrous sulfate). There are several good choices, depending on your surgery and where your iron is when you start. Carbonyl iron is very well absorbed, and easy on both ends, if you catch my drift. Calcium would not be carbonate or oyster shell, but preferably citrate form. That's best absorbed by anyone, but specifically by people with no stomach acid to speak of. Starting protein & a hair vitamin pre-op is a good start. Hair loss happens, pretty hard to avoid. The part you can be proactive about is getting that new growth kicked into gear before it happens. Then just about the time you start to freak out, there's those new baby hairs. The general public takes a multi vite, calcium, vit C (not in excess, but "some") and some vit E. Those are normal things to take pre-op til you get your postie instructions or do your research.
   — vitalady

October 30, 2002
I am 5 weeks post op and am taking 1500 mg of Calcium, 2 chewable complete multi vitamins (flintstones), and 2 mg of Biotin daiy. Also take sublingual b12 twice a week. Feeling good! 35 lbs. gone!
   — April A.